LP Man Arrested On Felony DUI Charge

A Lake Placid man was free Wednesday on $6,000 bail after he was stopped by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) after a low-speed chase.

George Peter Deirmenjian, 60, of 177 Placid Drive, Lake Placid, was charged with DUI third violation within 10 years (third-degree felony), resisting a law enforcement officer by fleeing to elude with lights and sirens, (third-degree felony) and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence (first-degree misdemeanor).

According to the report at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday while Tropical Storm Fay pelted Highlands County, someone complained about a reckless driver on Placid View Drive, who was seen driving off the shoulder several times.

Deputy Oliver Worley attempted to pull the vehicle over by activating his lights and siren, but the vehicle kept going for about a quarter of a mile, his report stated.

The driver of the car later identified as Deirmenjian pulled into a driveway and got out. He started walking toward the house. When ordered several times to stop, he said, "I'm going to my house," the report stated.

Worley and Deputy Jacob Riley each grabbed an arm, but Deirmenjian reportedly stiffened up his arms.

"... I delivered a knee strike to the defendant's right thigh," Worley wrote. "The defendant submitted to pain compliance and was placed into handcuffs."

He was taken to the Highlands County Jail where Deirmenjian reportedly blew a .202 and a .203 breath alcohol level on the Intoxylixer test. Anything above a level of .080 BAL is considered intoxicated in Florida.

Files indicated Deirmenjian had two prior convictions for DUI, the second signed by Judge Anthony Ritenour on April 17, 2007 and the first by Judge Peter Estrada on Aug. 5, 2005, the report stated.